BILL NUMBER: AB 2354	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member V. Manuel Perez

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2010

   An act relating to public health.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2354, as introduced, V. Manuel Perez. Community Health Workers:
Promotores.
   Existing law establishes training and certification programs for
various healing arts professionals including, among others, nurses,
midwives, occupational therapists, dietitians, and social workers.
   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would prepare California to receive and use various
federal health care funding to prepare, train, promote, and expand
the work of community health workers, as specified.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Community Health Workers (CHWs), also known as promotores,
peer leaders, or health advocates, serve as a bridge between the
community and the public health care system, providing health
education and prevention information and resources in a manner that
is culturally and linguistically appropriate. CHWs function as
cultural brokers who possess a unique understanding of those, often
difficult-to-reach, communities they serve.
   (b) According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, integrating promotores and community health workers into
health programs has been associated with improvements in access to
health care, prenatal care, pregnancy and birth outcomes, client
health status, health- and screening-related behaviors, and reduced
health care costs.
   (c) Federal efforts to address healthcare affordability and
accessibility have identified the community health worker and
promotores model as an effective practice and have committed
financial support to help implement the model. In fact, current
federal legislative efforts include funding for CHWs and promotores.
   (d) The Legislature recognizes and applauds the contributions of
CHWs with regard to community health and well-being, and
cost-effective prevention. Currently, however, California does not
have a statewide certification or any training specific to becoming
or working as a promotora or community health worker.
   (e) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that
would prepare California to receive and use federal health care
funding, including, but not limited to, health prevention, outreach,
and education funding, to prepare, train, promote, and expand the
work of promotores, including in community health clinics and county
public health departments, throughout the state.